Do you have parent access to your child’s devices?

There are a lot of different opinions on the subject of parent access, depending on where you look, who you ask, and what the family dynamics are.

In this article you will find more to consider, as well as some statistics and data on the subject.

Keep in mind however, as a biblical man you are the guardian of your family. So you should be up to snuff on this subject. Especially these days.

(at the end of this article – I have given my review of a GREAT Internet Filtering Product I use in my home with my family – I love it!)

Here is some help to get you up to snuff:

There are a lot of Dads out there that are having the same battle as you in this area. Having parent access to your child’s devices is not a straight forward job. Especially for those who aren’t very technically inclined.

Statistics:

1 in 4 children report unwanted exposure.

1 in 5 children report receiving a sexual solicitation online.

Only 1 in 4 children inform their parents.

Less than 3% of incidences are reported to authorities.

(According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)

With statistics like that, you have got to be diligent.

5 Important Parent Access Points

Point #1: You Have the Responsibility to Monitor Their Devices.

You have the responsibility to monitor your child’s devices. The Internet is a wild frontier as you well know. Children have a natural curiosity and will follow the Internet wherever it leads them. That is a ripe situation for a trap.

You are DAD! Your responsibility to keep your children safe does not stop with the internet. Ignorance is not an excuse. Luckily, this post will help you get a win!

Just as most men have a tool kit for different jobs, this article is part of your tool kit, to keep your family safe and responsible while online. Don’t get caught off guard.

Keep reading, and you will find the tools you need to get the job done. That’s why Active Manhood is here, to give you a hand. Besides that, your wife will want to give you a high five when you accomplish this one!

You have the responsibility to monitor their devices.

Point #2: You Have the Right to Monitor Their Devices.

You are DAD! That means you have the right to access anything they own. There really should be nothing off limits. Especially when it comes to anything that is attached to the internet.

If it has a screen, you should have access. As you already know, you are accountable for them, until they are an adult. That gives you the right to check their devices.

Children, in particular teenagers, are known to protest when Dad starts getting nosey with their online activity. But if they have nothing to hide, they should not protest. Right?

Feel free to tell them that. If they resist the accountability then they probably need it more than you know. Assert your right to parent access.

It can be a touchy subject for sure, and it has to be handled with care. However, if you refuse to exercise your right to parent access, you will very likely end up with a bigger mess on your hands.

According to the statistics, it is very probable that your family will be affected by this, in a negative way at some point. The more you handle now, the less mess later.

Point #3: You Have the Reason to Monitor Their Devices.

If you are looking for reasons to monitor their devices, you will not be in short supply. The statistics that were listed at the top of this post are just a few. There are many many more if you will just do your homework.

Besides the statistics listed regarding children accessing the Internet, there is the reality that these are your children and you love them. There have been many horrible incidents regarding children being bullied and other abusive behavior through the Internet.

On top of all of that there is the subject of secrecy and privacy. Your children and teenagers don’t think that you know what is going on. And they probably don’t want you to know. That’s all the more reason to figure it out.

You don’t have to be suspicious in order to investigate what’s going on with their devices. It’s really just a matter of diligence, and common sense as a parent.

Point #4: You Have the Research to Monitor Their Devices.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Internet is still really a wild frontier. However, there have been great strides forward in the area of monitoring and filtering devices that are online.

In fact, early on in my career I was worked in one of the companies that helped pioneer internet filtering. It was a wild time for the internet. People wanted it to be filtered, but the technology was still pretty clunky.

Since then, a great deal of research has gone into how and when the internet should be filtered.

The research is in – and you’d be wise to filter!

Nine of 10 kids aged 8-16 have viewed pornography on the Internet, often in the process of doing homework. (Source: London School of Economics January 2002)

Again, you know your kids don’t want you monitoring, but it’s a must!

(Video: Smart phones may affect the way children think!)

There are some great resources available for you to help monitor and control what your children see, and how long they spend on the internet.

There is a lot of choices out there, and any of them would certainly be better than nothing. Over the years we have tried a few different options, all of which worked. Some better than others.

There is software based filtering that has to be downloaded and installed on each device. There is filtering hardware that has to be installed. Again anything is better than nothing.

However, I have found what worshippers best for us…..

SO HERE IS THE INTERNET FILTERING AND MONITORING PRODUCT REVIEW – that I LOVE!

It’s called the Disney Circle, it’s only $99, and it plugs between our wifi router, and the internet, so all internet traffic in the house, goes through it.

Every family member has an individual profile, and custom settings. I can set what time the wifi comes on, goes off at night, and how much time each child gets. I can even pause all the devices for an individual child if their chores or homework isn’t done. – and….it’s controlled from my iPhone no matter where I am!

Best of all, I can see exactly what websites and social media sites they have been on, and how much time they spent there. We even have a bedtime that the wifi automatically shuts off.

Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, “Do … Read more

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